US2570536A - Remotely adjustable rearview mirror - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 9, 1951 J. R. FELLABAUM REMOTELY ADJUSTABLE REARVIEW MIRROR 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed sept. 9, 1949 INVENToR; James Rfellabclum. 5

" y. 7 Arrow/ys OGL 9, 1951 J. R. FELLABAUM REMOTELY ADJUSTABLE REARvIEw MIRROR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 9, 1949 TUR/VEKS' .latented ct. 9, 195i REMOTELY ADJUSTABLE REARVIEW MIRROR James R. Fellabaum, Marion, Ohio Application September 9, 1949, Serial No. 114,793

Claims.

My invention relates to a remotely adjustable rear view mirror. It has to do, more particularly, with a rear vision mirror which is especially suitable for use on trucks or busses, since it is adjustable from a remote point, but which is not limited to use on such vehicles.

At the present time, the rear-view mirrors commonly in use on trucks or busses can only be adjusted from points outside the cabs of such vehicles. For example, on a tractor of a tractortrailer combination, vthe rear-view mirror is usually supported on a xed arm attached to the cab, the arm extending outwardly about two feet so that the mirror is positioned laterally beyond the trailer. It is diflicult for the driver to reach out the left-hand side of the cab and accurately adjust the mirror since it will not be in proper position when he again sits back in the drivers seat. The same is even more true if such a mirror is provided at the right-hand side; Therefore, it is usually necessary for the driver to sit in his seat and have another person stand outside and adjust the mirror in accordance with the drivers instructions. Furthermore,

when the tractor is being driven alone, it is both.

unnecessary and undesirable for the mirror support to extend outwardly to the positon it occupies when the trailer is attached.

It is the main object of my invention to pro-A Y vide a rear view mirror which is particularly useful in busses or trucks, which includes a supporting arm mounted on the cab to position the mirror outside the cab, and which also includes mechanism for accurately adjusting the mirror by the driver from a point within the-cab, the adjustment including movement inwardly and outwardly relative to the cab, tilting movement about a horizontal axis, and pivoting movement about a vertical axis. Y

Another object of my invention is to provide a rear view'mirror of the type indicated wherein the three types of adjustments can be accomplished quickly and with ease by the use of one hand only.

A further object of my invention is to provide a structure of the type indicated of such a nature that after the mirror is adjusted, it will be held in such adjusted position until lit is again adjusted by positive movement of the adjusting mechanism by the driver. n

Another object of my invention is to provide a remotely adjustable rear view mirror of the type indicated wherein the adjusting mechanism is simple but positive in action, and is completely Y enclosed for protection.

IVarious other objects will be apparent.

vehicle. This tube is provided with a pistol type handle at its inner end by means of which the Y mirror can be adjusted with one hand. The

mirror is carried on a radially extending arm at the outer end of the supporting tube and the tube is rotatably mounted in a bearing in the wall of the cab. By swinging the handle, the tube may be rotated to swing the mirror-supporting arm about the axis of the tube so as to adjust the mirror about a longitudinal axis. The supporting tube includes telescoping sections which can be extended or retracted to move the Amirror in or out relative to the cab merely by operating the suitable feed-screw mechanism in the supporting tube. Furthermore, I provide telescoping shaft mechanism within the supporting tube which is connected to the radially extending mirror-supporting arm in such a manner that when it is rotated, the arm rotates about its own axis and adjusts the mirror about such axis. A suitable clutch is provided for selectively actuating either the feed-screw mechanism for extending or withdrawing the telescoping sections of the tube or for rotating the shaft mechanism which rotates the radially extending arm. The control means for this clutch comprises a rotatable section of the handle which will select either mechanism so that by rotating the main section of the handle the selected mechanism will be actuated. Thus, the three adjustments of the mirror can be accomplished by grasping the handle with one hand.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view mainly in longitudinal section of a rear viewmirror and support according to my invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2v2 of Figure 1.

.Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3`3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating how the mirror support can be extended or withdrawn to adjust the position' of the mirror laterally of the truck.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating how the mirror can be adjusted about a vertical axis. Y

lFigure 6 is a similar view illustrating how the `mirror can be adjusted about a horizontal axis.

Figure '7 is a diagrammatic view showing two of the mirrors mounted on the cab of the tractor of a tractor-trailer combination.

With reference to the drawings, my rear View mirror and supporting structure comprises mainly a telescoping supporting tube IE) (Figure 1) having a radially extending mirror-carrying arm II on its outer end and a radially extending handle I2 on its inner end. The arm Il carries on its outer end a mirror I3 of any suitable type which may be mounted on a laterally extending portion I4 (Figure 5) thereof by'ine'ah's ofthe usual ball and socket type joint I5. i

In Figure 7, I have illustrated onel application of my mirror and supporting structure. In this instance, two of the mirrorsare mounted on the cab C of the tractor T which pulls the semitrailer S. With a tractor-trailer combination of this type, it is desirable to haveavurearview mirror on each side. In thev arrangementindicated, the tubes IE5n areY mounte d Iovtfllibly in bearings I6 carried by each `side wall of thecab adjacent the top thereof. Orne of the tubes I0, that is, the one at the right of the cab, will be longer than the other so that boni 'handles I2'` Iwill be close to the'dvriver. With this arrangement, both of the mirrors can be controlled from the drivers seat. As previously indicated, it will be possible with my structure to move the mirror I3 laterall'y, as shown in Figure 4, to adjust it about the axis ofthe arm I I, as shown in Figure 5, or to adjustit` about the axis of the tube I, as shown inFigure/G.

The tele'scollziingtube lvcomprises an outer tube section I'I within which an inner tube section ISuslides. Aspreviously indicated, a bearing 75 is associated withl the Vwall I9 lof the cab. This wall I9 has an opening v20` and the bearing I6 surroundstheopening, there being a sealing gasket 25a between the ilange 2l of the bearing IS and the wall I9. The tube I1 fits rotatably but tightly within 4the bearing I6 and a` packing gland 225s formed on'the bearing. This gland 22 lhas anut 23 associated therewith by means of which the packing' 24' may be caused to more` firmly''engage the outer Surface of the tube I'I.V A'colla'r A25,"surrounds tube I1 inside wfall I9 *andY i's'xedV thereon by ascrew 26 so thatV it will`ro'tate with tube I1. The tube I1 Iwill rotate in thebaring I6 and whenever necessary the packing gland lcan be tightened to maintain sufci'ent friction on the tube I1 to keep it in any l'aositic'inV towhi'ch it is rotated by swinging the handle I2`. Obviously, the gland 22 and gasket 20a will serve 'to provide a water; tight connection to prevent leakage Vinto the cab through opening 2U'.

The section I8 is splined to the outer section I1 by means of a key' which is provided by the inner end of' screw 26a and which ts into a spline groove 21V formed in the outer surface of' member I8 and having both ends closed. Thus', these members can slide relatively to each other but will not rotate relative to each other. The inner end of the tube I1 has clamped thereon by means of a split clamp 28, a sleeve 29 which is part of the handle I2; The clamp includes a removable bolt 3i! which permits removal of the handle I2 from'the tube I1 if necessary.

The sleeve 29 is provided with a depending interiorly threaded socket 29a on itsV inner end which receives the upstanding threaded portion 3l on a collar 32. The part ofthe handle to be gripped by the hand comprises an upper clutchactuating'secton 33 and a lower main operating section 34.

4 The section 34 is mounted on an angular portion 35 of a shaft 36, which extends 'radially from sleeve 29 through the member 32,

so that it can be used in rotating the shaft. The section 34 is always free to rotate relative to section 33, being separated therefrom by a ball-bearing 31 of the thrust type.

The section 33 is rotatably mounted on the circular part of the shaft 36 and is knurled, as indicated at 31a, to facilitate rotation thereof relative to section 34 and collar 32. The shaft 36 slidably mounted in the collar 32 and is normally maintained in retracted position by means of a compression spring 38 which is disposed withinportion 3I of collar1 32 and which engagesa collar 39 vfixed to the shaft 36. The extreme inner end of the shaft is reduced, as at 40, and is rotatably carried in a bearing cup 4l which@ @refiere into an Opening. in the 'Well 0f. Sleeve, priiee, 29. in 'axial alignment. with collaifnIii The outer edge/of collar 32 contacts with the inner edgeA of handle Section 33 and these contacting edges are shaped rto form two cooperating cani Iedg'eszw'hich normally interlock andintert, aspindicated at4'2l. A nut 43 threaded oirtiiebu'ter and oif'siiaitsa and 'fitting iii'a steigerte iiiiiaridie section s4 keeps iiieiiaiidie s'eciibjss's s'nii aairi association with each other and section 33; engaged with collar 32. Hansis; section'Y sa "isro'taied festive ic narici@ S'St"n 'tlirgj asv indica-ted.'diagr'ainmatically iii ie 4; arie 'serve t more ihe'iiaridieseuciioiis a, '3i ieiiiiri1iyV cuiwariiy 'pulling uis shaft se' thjejiewiiii against tire fr-@ejer lspr'irigA sa. However, the eiitrern'ej` Yifiiier ein'` f the shaft' vviu' stili' be positioned' vviiiiiri the Vtearing il. Furthermore, iheiiaiidie section 34; wiiistiu be DE birigjfaeiiiiateq by the eariiig'si y u 'This'handle arrangement' provided for selectively aciuatiiigiiie ciutciijencicsed within sleeve bevelprtion 4`1and an outwardly 'bevel portionj it.` winning iisfiiiiei 'the position indicated in, vFigure' '1, the bevelporticnj 41 engages 'a bevel by rotation 'oise-@tion 33, iiiebeve-i portion 4a will eiige Van,interiorV bjevelilgear portion 49 fifmedrrthemnerhdiof a seevei. ThisY sleeve 50""is'rotatablymounted within sleeveYV portion, 29jarndv isl keyed byj a key arrangement tube'A IU. This tube I-8flis` provided onv its inner surface with'V inwardly extending,V projections 56 which lit into the' helicalj groove 55; Obviously, when sleeve52 is rotated 'by' means of gear 49,

the tube I 8 will move inior'outof the tube I1,

depending-I upon the `direction of y rotation of gear 49,-` `due to cooperation orprojections 56- with grooveV 55', TheY innerjeiid of, the spline groove 21 inl tube'rlin coopera-tion with the Ylrey formed on the inner end of screw 26ajgireventscompleteVY Whenv ori 34ans callar 132; the' carri edges ride their However,A screwY 26a. may be withdrawn from groove 21 topermit removal of tube I8.

section l53. This shaft section Vis part of a telescoping shaft which serves to rotate therradially extending arm I I. The shaft section 53 has its outer end slidably fitting into a tubular shaft section 58. This shaft section 58'has its outer end keyed by a key arrangement 59 to a stub shaft 60 which is received within tubular shaft 58. This stub shaft 6I) is rotatably mounted in aball bearing 60a carried by a collar 62 secured within the outer end of tube I8. The shaft section 53 isv splined within the'tubular section 58 by means of a key 63 carried by section 53 and extending outwardly into a spline groove 64 formed in the inner surface of outer shaft 58. Thus, the shaft sections 53 and 58 will not rotate relative to each other but are free to move axially relative to each other.

When the shaft 53 is rotated by gear 48a, it will rotate the stub shaft 60. This stub shaft 60 carries a bevel gear 6I whichA meshes with a bevel gear 6 I a. The gear 6 la is keyed on the inner end of the mirror-carrying arm II. The arm I I is rotatably carried in a bearing sleeve 65 which is threaded radially into a socket 66 formed in a cap 61 which is threaded at 61a on the outer end of the tube I8. The extreme inner end of the arm I I is reduced and is rotatably and slidably mounted in a bearing provided on a bearing cap 68 which is threaded radially into cap 61 in axial alignment with tubular bearing 65. A compression spring 69 is provided within a socket 'I0 formed at the inner end of member 65 and bears against gear Gla to keep it in engagement with gear 6I It will be apparent that with this arrangement, three adjustments of the mirror I3 are possible merely by actuating the handle I2 with one hand. One of the adjustments is indicated in Figure 6 and can be accomplished merely by grasping the handle I2 and swinging it bodily to rotate the supporting tube IIl in the bearing I6. Due to the spline and groove connection between sections I1 and I8 of this tube, the arm II Will be swung about the axis of the tube, as indicated in Figure 6. With the handle in the condition illustrated in Figure 1, that is, with section -33 intertting and interlocking with collar 32,'if the section 34 of the handle is rotated, the telescoping shaft 53--58 Ywill be rotated since bevel portion 41 of the clutch is in engagement with pinion 48a. Rotation of the telescoping shaft will rotate the -arm IIr about its axis and move the mirror I3 in the manner illustrated inv Figure 5. The other adjustment is to move the mirror I3 towards or away from the handle I2, as illustrated in Figure 4. This is accomplished by rotating the handle section 33 relative to collar 32 and section 34 to move the bevel portion 48 of the clutch into engagement with the interior bevel gear 49. Now rotation of handle section 34 will rotate the screw sleeve 52 and move the tube I8 in or out of the tube I'I along with shaft 58 relative to shaft 53. After each of these adjustments, the mirror will be locked automatically.

It will be apparent from the above description that I have provided a rear view mirror and supporting structure which is particularly useful on trucks or busses or other installations where it is desired to control the positioning of the mirror from a remote location. The three indicated adjustments of the mirror may be accomplished with ease from the drivers seat. The device is relatively simple, positive in action, and can be As previously indicated, gear 48a. drives shaft 6.. operated with one hand which is a safety factor.- All of the lactuating mechanism is enclosed and protected. Furthermore, the parts may be readily'disassembled for servicing. I

Various other advantages will be apparent.

Having thus .describedmy invention, what I claim is:

1. A rear view mirror comprising a main supporting arm mounted Yfor rotation about its own axis, a radially extending mirror-carrying arm on the outer end of said supporting arm, a handle on the inner end of said main supporting arm by means of which it may be rotated about its own axis, said main supporting arm being composed of telescoping sections, mechanism for extending or withdrawing said sections, mechanism carried by said main supporting arm for rotating said mirror-carrying arm about its axis, a clutch for selectively actuating either of said mechanisms, said handle being composed of a plurality of relatively movable sections, one of said sections serving to control the clutch upon proper movement thereof and the other of said sections serving upon movement thereof to actuate the selected mechanism. y

2. A rear view mirror comprising a supporting tube mounted for rotation in a bearing carried by a support, a radially extending mirror-carrying arm rotatably mounted in a bearing'on the outer end of said tube, a radiallyextending handle'fixed on the inner end of said tube so that swinging of the handle will rotate said tube in its bearing, said tube being composed of telescoping sections, screw mechanism within said sections for extending or withdrawing said sections, a telescoping shaft rotatably mounted within said tube and Y connected to said radially extending arm for rotation thereof, a clutch for selectively driving said screw mechanism or said shaft, said handle comprising relatively rotatable sections which are axially aligned, one of said handle sections serving to control the clutch upon rotation of said section to drive the screw mechanism or to drive the shaft and theiother of said handle sections serving upon rotation thereof to rotate the selected mechanism.

3. A rear view mirror comprising a supporting tube mounted for rotation in a bearing carried by the support, means for preventing longitudinal movement of the tube in said bearing, a radially extending mirror-carrying arm rotatably mounted in a bearing on the outer end of said tube, a radially extending handle clamped on the inner end of said tube so that swinging of the handle will rotate said tube in its bearing, said tube being composed of a pair of telescoping sections splined together, a screw sleeve disposed within the inner of said sections and mounted for rotation relative thereto, said sleeve being provided with a helical groove engaged by a projection on the outer of said sections, a shaft composed of a pair of telescoping sections, the inner of said shaft sections having its inner end rotatably connected to said screw sleeve and the outer of said shaft sections having its outer end rotatably connected to said outer tube section, a gear carried by the inner end of said screw sleeve and a gear carried by the inner end of said inner telescoping shaft section, a shaft rotatably mounted in said handle, a gear clutch carried by said shaft and having a portion for engaging the gear on the screw sleeve and a portion for engaging the gear on the telescoping shaft section, said handle comprising a main section keyed to said shaft in the handle by means of which said shaft may be ro-

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